The Green Revolution

West Richland, Washington

According to recent research conducted at the University of Chicago, switching to a vegetarian diet is as or more helpful than switching to a hybrid car. The study concluded that an animal-based diet accounts for significantly more fossil-fuel use than a plant-based diet, and emits much more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the practice of raising animals for food causes greenhouse gases even more dangerous than carbon dioxide, primarily methane and nitrous oxide. With the wide range of vegetarian options in today's market, it is convenient and simple to switch to a plant-based diet.

Leslie H. Armstrong

Asheville, North Carolina

Islamists in Somalia

I found your report (Africa's Taliban," July 31) quite interesting. Although Islam was founded in Arabia, it made its way into the continent of Africa, south of the Sahara, as early as the seventh century. This long historical tenure, coupled with the rise of well-established and highly regarded centers of Islamic learning across the continent, gave birth to a form of Islam whose spirit of independence has become unique to the continent. Hence, it would be a sad day indeed for the Muslims of Africa, including those in Somalia, if they were to sacrifice this gift at the altar of a political ploy used to gain dominance and hegemony over the Muslims of Africa. Today, the people of Somalia cry out for peace, not religion, which they already have and practice every day of their lives.